"Temptation Tree" returns to display with Enchanted Arboretum

The Temptation Tree, one of two Enchanted Arboretum sculptures vandalized in May, is back on public display.

The sculpture, named for its depiction of the Garden of Eden, was originally displayed at the MRB Basin Lewis & Clark Center, but authorities say someone drove a vehicle up on the sidewalk striking the sculpture and a light pole. It is now displayed at the Rowe Safety Complex.

The Temptation Tree, one of two Enchanted Arboretum sculptures vandalized in May, is back on public display.

The sculpture, named for its depiction of the Garden of Eden, was originally displayed at the MRB Basin Lewis & Clark Center, but authorities say someone drove a vehicle up on the sidewalk striking the sculpture and a light pole. It is now displayed at the Rowe Safety Complex.

It was feared to be damaged beyond repair, but the artist reported that certain elements could not be duplicated.

The sculpture includes the quote from Genesis 3:4-5, where the serpent tells Adam and Eve they will not die.

The artist painted the verse on the sculpture in English, Russian and Arabic. He does not write all of the languages, so he was able to find artisans who would write it for him.

The pieces with the Old Testament language verses were cracked, but the cracks did not go through the writing.

Icon Poly, a Gibbon, Neb., company that made the public art project's 71 fiber-reinforced urethane tree figures, incoporated the original pieces into a new figure.